11:20 (AP) Charter schools have cleared their most difficult remaining legislative hurdle in Mississippi. House members voted 62-56 today with no debate to approve a House-Senate agreement on House Bill 369. Charter schools — public schools that agree to meet certain standards in exchange for less regulation — would have to be nonprofit entities. So […] [...]

JACKSON — Some Mississippi House members shifted their positions on a bill that would provide for charter school expansion in the state, allowing it to move forward. The House voted to invite conference on House Bill 890 by a vote of 61 to 56. Reps. Manly Barton of Moss Point, Ray Rogers of Pearl and […] [...]

JACKSON — Mississippi House members don’t want to proceed with a Senate-backed education bill that includes a proposal for charter schools expansion. The House voted 60-58 to reject a conference with senators on differences over House Bill 890. The bill also includes provisions raising entry standards for teacher education, remains on the House calendar and […] [...]

JACKSON — In their latest plan to improve Mississippi public schools, state senators are offering a compromise on requirements to become a teacher and doing away with a proposal to make it easier for the state to take over troubled schools. The Senate voted 28-23 to approve its version of House Bill 890. It includes […] [...]

JACKSON — Mississippi lawmakers are trying to resolve differences between House and Senate versions of bills expanding charter schools in the state. The Senate Education Committee took up the proposal yesterday that the House passed Jan. 24, amending it to mirror the Senate-passed plan. Oxford Republican Gray Tollison, chairman of the committee, says House and […] [...]

JACKSON — Bleary-eyed charter schools supporters took a few minutes to bask in a big victory early today, but were quick to acknowledge that the fight’s not over. The Mississippi House voted 64-55 to pass House Bill 369, which would expand charter schools in the state. The vote came after more than seven hours of […] [...]

JACKSON — A proposal to expand charter schools is moving toward a vote in the full House. The House Education Committee voted 16-14 to approve House Bill 369 after about 90 minutes of debate. Committee Chairman John Moore, a Brandon Republican, says he expects the full House to vote on the measure in a “couple […] [...]

JACKSON — State House members are poised to take up their own version of charter school legislation. House Education Committee Chairman John Moore said his panel would take up the House legislation this morning. Moore, a Brandon Republican, said the full House could debate the measure tomorrow or Thursday, if it passes committee. The Senate […] [...]

JACKSON — A bill to expand charter schools in Mississippi has easily cleared the Senate, and attention shifts to the House for the second year. In a 31-17 vote, the bill had two Democratic supporters but no Republican opponents. The vote came after more than three hours of debate and a day after Senate Bill […] [...]

JACKSON — A group of 22 business leaders is calling for a broadened charter school law, asking legislators on yesterday to enact a law that would allow the schools to set up in any district. The group calls itself Better Education for Mississippi and is led by Bomgar Corp. chairman Joel Bomgar, who leads a […] [...]